Blog

19Jan 15

Family Time with the Braids

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The Braids are a typical young family.

Mom, Kaveri, and dad, Christian, work busy jobs. They have two young children under the age of three. Days are full, and evenings are packed with quality time together.

“We’re up by 6, to work by 8:30, and home by 5:30 to have supper together,” says Kaveri, “then soon after the bedtime routine kicks in with bath, pjs, brushing teeth, read a bedtime book, sing a song and it’s off to bed for the kids.”

This is a familiar day for anyone with young kids. With all the hustle and bustle of the daily routine, it’s sometimes hard to see how one could fit in anything else, especially family literacy.

The Braids know just how important this is, and work hard to make literacy fit in to their everyday lifestyle.

“We read a book every night before bedtime, and it has become something we all very much look forward to,” says Kaveri, “Our son also helps us bake, we do lots of crafts together, quizzing on colours as we go.”

 

Literacy is for moms and dads, too.

“I think it’s important Christian and I take the time out of our busy schedules to leisurely read,” says Kaveri,  “For me it’s definitely ‘me-time’ and often helps me wind down at the end of the day.  And I believe it’s important for our kids to see that mom and dad love reading too, especially with our son Aiden, who is starting to slowly really understand the meaning of words and numbers.”

On the weekends when things calm down is when the fun really happens.

“Both Christian and I definitely look forward to the weekend where we usually try and do lots of things with the kids and dedicate those days with the family.”

One of their favourite family activities is baking. Kaveri loves when her young son helps her bake. He watches her closely, helps when he can, an even tries to make up his own directions.

“Ok step one, mommy gets the egg from the fridge, and then cracks it and then spills it into the bowl” says Aiden, who is 2.5 years old.

 

Growing up with literacy

“I think it’s important that our kids grow up loving books,” says Kaveri.

She has very vivid memories of her parents reading to her every night at bed time. Now she not only looks forward to this daily ritual, but recognizes that it is important family time, and a chance to encourage and grow a child’s imagination.  

“Books are a great escape and adventure for the imagination,” says Kaveri.  “Some of the greatest stories of our time are written in books, so I would love for my children to be able to experience them with the skills of reading.”

Watching her young children grow into a world of literacy is fascinating and compelling for Kaveri. While she recognized it before, she has come to realize just how impactful parents and caregivers are on children’s literacy skills and vocabulary.

“When your kids are starting to learn words and language, they start repeating everything you say!” says Kaveri. “My husband and I definitely make it a point to use proper grammar with our kids.”

 

The power of literacy

This understanding of the importance of literacy has found Kaveri joining the READ Saskatoon Board of Directors.

“I couldn’t imagine a life without literacy,” says Kaveri, who used to be a journalist at CBC and is now a managing communications consultant with a PR firm. “READ helps give people the power to read and write, and I believe once you are equipped with those life skills, you have the power to set your mind to do anything you want to do.”

Kaveri believes literacy is a driving force towards improving peoples’ lives and building stronger communities.

“Literacy is a person’s fundamental right,” says Kaveri, “I believe everyone should have access to learn how to read and write.   With literacy an individual has the power to change their lives for the better.”

 

It starts at home

Literacy starts at home, and Kaveri hopes that all families can make it a part of their daily routine.

“It can be anything from reading a story book nightly, or even having the parents read or write in a journal every night before bed,” says Kaveri, “You’ll soon realize that it’s not just another chore, but can be a stress free activity or great family time.”